This species has been recorded on the island of New Guinea (present in Papua New Guinea only), on Fergusson Island in the D'Entrecasteaux Islands (Papua New Guinea), and from much of northern Australia (Flannery 1995a,b; Bonaccorso 1998; Kutt et al. 2008). It ranges from sea Level to 300 m asl.

This species is common and widespread within its Australian range (Kutt et al. 2008). Bonaccorso (1998) suggests that it is not commonly encountered in Papua New Guinea, even though it occurs in association with humans.

This species is present in lowland habitats where it has been recorded from wet sclerophyll forest, open woodlands, scrub, and over sand dunes. It roosts in tree holes, rock crevices, and in buildings. It is an aerial insectivore that forages over wetlands, including waterholes, marshes, creeks, and sewage ponds, and within forested areas. Females give birth to one or two young (Flannery 1995a; Bonaccorso 1998).